Universal Navigation
Universal navigation2.
- Alumni & Friends
Search form
- Current Students
- PhD Program Requirements
The main requirement for the degree is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis . Other requirements include participation in a field seminar program and research as well as successful completion of the departmental comprehensive oral examination and the required graduate courses. Doctoral students select a sub-discipline:
Analytical Chemistry
Environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic and biological chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical physics, polymers and materials chemistry.
- Interdisciplinary (which allows combination with the other sub-disciplines)
Available as guides to a timely completion
A visual guide of the requirements for the PhD program.
A visual guide of the requirements for the PhD Direct program.
With the exception of Theoretical Physical Chemistry, each field requires a minimum of 2 to 4 half-course equivalents from approved graduate courses offered in the School of Graduate Studies, depending on the student's academic background. The selection of courses will be determined in consultation with the supervisor.
Students who completed their Master's program from another department or university may request a course reduction for up to two half-courses to reduce their course requirements. These courses must be equivalent to courses offered by our Department.
Students may also take a course outside the University through the Ontario Visiting Graduate Student program
Each field requires a presentation of at least 2 to 3 seminars and participation in the appropriate seminar program. Students must meet this requirement in order to graduate and attendance is mandatory. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend seminars offered outside of the series (eg. colloquia, visiting scholars, etc.). View upcoming presentations.
In addition to seeking advice from the research advisor and seminar convenor, here are online resources for oral presentation guidelines and skills:
- Oral Presentation, Writing University of Toronto
- Presentation Skills
- Public Speaking and Graduate School
- Mastering the Art of Presenting
Students receive a grade from the supervisor for work undertaken in the laboratory towards completion of the thesis. The grade reflects the degree of progress and quality of performance with regard to the stage of the program of the student. Students who fail a research course will be contacted immediately and may be instructed to meet with their supervisory committee members to discuss issues affecting their research. This indicates performance at a level that warrants dismissal. Two failed grades in sequence will initiate dismissal procedures. View the Policy on Assignment of Research Grades .
Program Length
- 4 years for students with a MSc degree
- 5 years for direct-entry to the PhD program with a BSc degree, or including first year in the MSc program for PhD-transfers
Collaborative Programs
The following collaborative programs are available to doctoral students:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Environmental Studies
Specific Requirements
Four half-courses to include the following:
- One half-course each in (a) Spectroscopy, (b) Separation Science or Electrochemistry, and (c) Advanced Instrumentation or Data Analysis.
One half-course in Spectroscopy :
· CHM1107H · CHM1406H · CHM1450H · CHM1455H · CHM1482H · CHM1486H · IES1410H · CHM1479H · CHM1056H
One half-course in Separation Science or Electrochemistry : · CHM1102H · CHM1104H · CHM1105H · CHM1150H · CHM1152H · CHE1144H
One half-course in Advanced Instrumentation or Data Analysis :
· CHM1103H · CHM1106H · CHM1157H · CHM1488H · PHY1406H · BME1452H · CHM1104H
- One other half-course to support the research program. Students may take the graduate course from other chemistry fields or cognate departments.
- Acceptable graduate lecture courses fall under divisions 3 (physical sciences) and 4 (life sciences). You are welcome to take courses outside of these categories. However, it will not count towards your degree requirements. Courses that deal with public policy related to science and health are generally acceptable as elective courses.
- Formal permission from the Associate Chair is required if a student needs to take a course other than the core course to complete course requirements within the sub-discipline.
- To apply for a core-course exemption (if applicable) or to take a graduate course offered at another Ontario university, see the Courses section.
- Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Analytical Chemistry seminar program (CHM1190Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View upcoming presentations .
- Accumulation of 25 Analytical Seminar Plus (ASP) points. Students who started the program prior to 2020/2021 must complete 30 ASP points.
- Enrolment in the Analytical Chemistry Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- Students receive a grade from the supervisorfor work undertaken in the laboratory towards completion of the thesis.
Comprehensive Field Examination
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the area of Analytical Chemistry, usually upon completion of course work.
- Professional Development
- Applicable to students who start the program in 2020/2021.
- In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; CR/NCR).
- Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional professional development training spread evenly over the categories: Communcation, Personal Effectiveness and Research and Teaching Skills. Refer to the list of eligible professional development opportunities . Consult with the Graduate Office , if applicable.
At least four half-courses to include the following:
- At least one other half-course in Environmental Chemistry (EES/ENV1105H, CHM1404H, CHM/IES1410H, CHM1415H, CHM1420H, CHM1430H,CHM1425H, CHM1550H)
- At least one CHM course to be chosen in consultation with the supervisor/supervisory committee and confirmed by the field representative.
- One other half-course that may be an approved course offered in a cognate department.
- A formal permission from the Associate Chair is required if a student needs to take a course other than the core course to complete his or her course requirements within the sub-discipline.
- Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Environmental Chemistry seminar and colloquia program (CHM1590Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View upcoming presentations .
- Enrolment in the Environmental Research course (CHM2533H) every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- A written research proposal, defended orally, on a topic other than the primary research topic delivered prior to the end of the second year of graduate study.
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the area of Environmental Chemistry, usually completed following course work and before the end of the second year of study.
- Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional professional development training spread evenly over the categories: Communcation, Personal Effectiveness and Research and Teaching Skills. Refer to the list of eligible professional development opportunities . Consult with the Graduate Office , if applicable.
- Four half-courses to include one or both of the core half-courses (CHM1270H and/or CHM1266H).
- Students may take graduate courses from other chemistry fields or cognate departments.
- Formal permission from the Associate Chair is required if a student needs to take a course other than the core course to complete his or her course requirements within the sub-discipline.
- Presentation of one seminar each year starting in their second year (to a total of three) in the Inorganic Chemistry seminar program (CHM1290Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR), including one on an original research proposal. View upcoming presentations
- Enrolment in the Inorganic Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the area of Inorganic Chemistry, usually taken 6 months after the completion of course work.
- Four half-courses to include at least two Organic/Biological Chemistry half-courses selected from CHM1040H to CHM1068H (inclusive): CHM1040H, CHM1045H, CHM1051H, CHM1054H, CHM1055H, CHM1056H, CHM1057H, CHM1059H, CHM1060H, CHM1061H, CHM1068H.
- Upon admission to the program all students are expected to be at the level of the fourth-year undergraduate courses offered in physical organic, synthetic organic, and biological chemistry, and if necessary the cross-listed Arts & Science courses may be taken.
- Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) as a component of participation in the Organic/Biological Chemistry seminar program (CHM1090Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View upcoming presentations
- Ph.D students who have obtained a Master's Degree from another university have the option to do their seminars in the first and third years of their program.
- A Confidential Evaluation Form is available for students who wish to receive feedback on their seminar presentation.
Cumulative Examinations
- Students must pass six cumulative examinations.
- The cumulative examinations are generally written on the first Friday of the month, October through May, inclusive. Further notification will be forwarded by the Graduate Office.
- Enrolment in the Organic Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- Students receive a grade from the supervisor for work undertaken in the laboratory towards completion of the thesis.
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the area of Organic and Biological Chemistry, usually upon completion of course work and the cumulative examinations.
- Experimental Stream: Four half-courses consisting of a combination of two core and two other courses.
- Theory Stream: Six half-courses to include two core half-courses. The specific courses are selected by the student and supervisor.
- Core courses are CHM1478H, CHM1479H, CHM1480H, CHM1481H, CHM1482H and CHM1488H.
- To apply for a core-course exemption (if applicable) or wish to take a graduate course offered at another Ontario university, see the Courses section.
- Presentation of two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Physical Chemistry seminar program (CHM1490Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View upcoming presentations .
- Enrolment in the Physical Research course every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the area of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics, usually undertaken following the completion of course work.
- Four half-courses to include at least one of the three core half-courses (CHM1206H, CHM1301H, CHM1302H).
- Presentation of at least three seminars (a literature talk in the first year and presentations on original research in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the Polymers and Materials Chemistry seminar program (CHM1390Y; compulsory attendance; CR/NCR). View upcoming presentations .
- Enrolment in Polymers and Materials Research course (CHM2303H) every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the area of Polymers and Materials Chemistry, usually completed following the course work.
Interdisciplinary
- Admission to this field requires a research topic of a truly interdisciplinary nature, such as but not limited to bioanalytical, biophysics, bioinorganic, nanoscience or nanotechnology.
- A written request for admission must be submitted to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies along with a letter of support from your research supervisor.
- The written request must justify the need to transfer and list the courses that will be taken to complete the doctoral program. It should also explain how the requirements in the current field of research are restricting the progress of your research.
- Four half-courses to include at least one core half-course from an existing field of Chemistry.
- Students may take graduate courses from other chemistry fields or cognate departments.
- Acceptable graduate lecture courses fall under divisions 3 (physical sciences) and 4 (life sciences). You are welcome to take courses outside of these categories. However, it will not count towards your degree requirements. Courses that deal with public policy related to science and health are generally acceptable as elective courses.
- Presentation of at least two seminars (usually in the second and fourth years of study) and participation in the seminar program (compulsory attendance; CR/NCR) of an existing field of Chemistry. View upcoming presentations .
- Students will need to choose the appropriate seminar and research courses and must remain in the same seminar and research courses for the rest of the program.
- Enrolment in the research course of an existing field of Chemistry every term, starting in the second term of program registration.
- Successful completion of an oral examination in the fields of Chemistry deemed appropriate, usually completed following the course work.
- Graduate Studies
- Prospective Students
- New Students
- Student Forms
- MSc Program Requirements
- MSc Program Guide
- PhD Program Guide
- Financial Information
- External Awards
- Internal Awards and Fellowships
- Teaching Assistantships
- Respect and Safety
- Request new password
Main navigation
- Graduate programs
- How to apply
- Research & supervision
- Student experience
- Connect with us
The majority of graduate programs are NOT impacted by recent government announcements about tuition increases. PhD students from the rest of Canada will continue to pay Quebec fees. International PhD fees will see the same 3% increase as Quebec fees.
Chemistry (PhD)
Program description.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry offered by the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science is a research-intensive program that emphasizes analytical and rigorous learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature search, cutting-edge thinking, and research dissemination to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.
Keywords: analytical/environmental, chemical biology, chemical physics, green/sustainable, materials, synthesis/catalysis .
Unique Program Features
- Applicants with a Bachelor's degree may apply directly to the Ph.D. program (an M.Sc. degree is not an admissions requirement);
- Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art research environment with well-equipped teaching and research laboratories;
- Faculty members conduct research in various areas such as Materials, Chemical Synthesis, Bio-organic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry and Nanochemistry in addition to the disciplinary areas of Analytical, Physical, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry;
- Many important contributions to the field of Chemistry come from the Department including Soddy's research on the transmutation of the elements, Belleau's discovery of the antiviral 3TC, and Ogilvie's co-development of the first 'gene machine'.
University-Level Admission Requirements
- An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
- English-language proficiency
Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.
Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.
Program Website
PhD in Chemistry website
Department Contact
Graduate Program graduate.chemistry [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20Chemistry) (email)
Available Intakes
Application deadlines.
Note : Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.
Application Resources
- Application Steps webpage
- Submit Your Application webpage
- Connecting with a supervisor webpage
- Graduate Funding webpage
Application Workshops
Consult our full list of our virtual application-focused workshops on the Events webpage .
Department and University Information
Graduate and postdoctoral studies.
72 Best universities for Organic Chemistry in Canada
Updated: February 29, 2024
- Art & Design
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
- Mathematics
Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Organic Chemistry. A graph of 20.4M citations received by 618K academic papers made by 72 universities in Canada was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.
We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.
1. University of Toronto
For Organic Chemistry
2. University of British Columbia
3. University of Alberta
4. McGill University
5. University of Waterloo
6. University of Calgary
7. McMaster University
8. University of Montreal
9. Laval University
10. Western University
11. Queen's University
12. University of Ottawa
13. University of Guelph
14. University of Manitoba
15. University of Saskatchewan
16. Dalhousie University
17. University of Sherbrooke
18. Memorial University of Newfoundland
19. Simon Fraser University
20. Polytechnic School of Montreal
21. University of Victoria
22. York University
23. University of Windsor
24. Carleton University
25. Concordia University
26. University of New Brunswick
27. University of Quebec in Montreal
28. University of Regina
29. Brock University
30. Ryerson University
31. Lakehead University
32. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres
33. Trent University
34. Ontario Tech University
35. Laurentian University
36. Royal Military College of Canada
37. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi
38. Wilfrid Laurier University
39. University of Lethbridge
40. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec
41. University of Prince Edward Island
42. St. Francis Xavier University
43. University of Winnipeg
44. Mount Allison University
45. Saint Mary's University
46. Acadia University
47. University of Moncton
48. University of Quebec in Rimouski
49. University of Northern British Columbia
50. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue
51. University of Quebec
52. HEC Montreal
53. Mount Saint Vincent University
54. Cape Breton University
55. Brandon University
56. University of Quebec in Outaouais
57. Thompson Rivers University
58. Nipissing University
59. MacEwan University
60. British Columbia Institute of Technology
61. Vancouver Island University
62. Quest University Canada
63. Mount Royal University
64. Trinity Western University
65. Bishop's University
66. University of the Fraser Valley
67. Algoma University
68. Royal Roads University
69. SAIT Polytechnic
70. Kings University in Canada
71. College of the North Atlantic
72. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
The best cities to study Organic Chemistry in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto , Vancouver , Edmonton , and Montreal .
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Students may take graduate courses from other chemistry fields or cognate departments. Upon admission to the program all students are expected to be at the level of the fourth-year undergraduate courses offered in physical organic, synthetic organic, and biological chemistry, and if necessary the cross-listed Arts & Science courses may be taken.
Program Description. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry offered by the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science is a research-intensive program that emphasizes analytical and rigorous learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature search, cutting-edge thinking, and research ...
70. Kings University in Canada. 71. College of the North Atlantic. 72. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. The best cities to study Organic Chemistry in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Montreal.